Using Integrated Pest Management Action Plans

Introduction

A successful IPM program requires that all pest management activities are conducted according to IPM principles. A policy statement can guide you, but you must have a plan, which is a detailed proposal for achieving specific goals.

Integrated pest management demands a customized approach for each pest because each possesses unique biology, behaviors, and life requirements. A school, business, or pest management professional should develop a written pest management plan for each common pest. They should also have a system for rapidly developing a plan for new pests in their region or for pests that are encountered infrequently. Pest management plans should be brief and easy to read and understand, including just enough information to explain the actions necessary to handle particular pest problems.

The following examples provide model IPM action plans for your school to adopt or modify to fit your needs.

IPM Action Plans

These action plans are designed to help you understand the biology of different pests and will help you set action thresholds for each pest. Identification is the key to good management, so we have included information that will help you identify the pest. Choose the action plans you need to incorporate into your IPM plan based on previous pest pressure in your school. You also can use these examples to quickly adopt a plan when new pests are identified at your school.